Well torpedo



@cit. 14. 1924.

F. I. ALEXANDER WELL TORPEDO Filed Sept. 11, 192?.

(kmxa/uzle 3 serenaded. M, 1924.

WELL TOBIPEDO.

Application flled September 11, 1922. Serial H0. 587,340.

To all whom it may concem:

Be it known that I, FORD I. ALEXANDER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State ofCalifornia, have invented a new and useful Well Torpedo, of which thefol lowing is a specification.

This invention relates to a Well torpedo and particularly pertains to acontainer for high explosives which may be employed in well blasting orin any case where explosives are utilized below the surface of theground or where explosives are employed which might be subjected topressure and friction. It is common practice in the course of drillingor operating wells, whether they be gas, oil or water, to explode netson other highly explosive compounds at some predetermined point in thewell for the purpose of increasing the fiow of the well or forcorrecting or remedying some diificulty which may arise in the course ofdrilling the well.

A review'o-f the records pertaining to the use of these torpedoeswillclearly illustrate that the handling of the torpedo has beenaccompanied with numerous accidents. These accidents occur during thelowering of the torpedo into the casing and frequently result infatalities.

In lowering the torpedo down the casing, the container frequentlycontacts with the sides of the casing developing friction and heat,electrical and magnetic influences, the result being that the torpedofrequently prematurely explodes subjecting the operator to considerabledanger and frequently severely damaging the well. Generally, theexplosive material employed is some nitroglycerine product. Theseproducts have a tendency to sweat or accumulate a thin film ofnitro-glycerine on their exterior. This film is extremely sensitive andvery readily exploded; any of the above mentioned reasons bein a likelyexplanation for the frequent accidents.

Further, it has been found practically impossible in loading thecontainer to entirely eliminate voids or air pockets. When the torpedois lowered into a well containlng a li uid, these air voids aresubjected to considerable pressure which tends to collapse the containerat the voids resulting in a premature explosion. Further, the air beingtrapped 'in'the voids, not being capable nitroglycerine prodofcirculation, gradually rises in temperature after continued contact withthe explosivey, and under pressure acts to spontaneously explode thetorpedo.

object of this invention is to provide a container which may be readilyand safely lowered down a well casing and which will not prematurelyexplode due to any of the aforesaid causes.

Another object of this invention is to provide an explosive containerwith a plurality of pressure equalizing apertures whereby the pressureinsideand outside the container is maintained e ual and the explosiveventilated and cooled by circulation of air, water or oil in itsdownward descent.

Another object of this invention is to provide an explosive containerwith means to prevent frictional contact between said container and thewalls of the casing.

Another object of this invention is to provide the explosive containerwith means for electrically insulating the container from the wellcasing.

Another inde ndent object of this invention is to provi e a well torpedohavin two separate containers or compartments w ere: by the innercontainer may be filled with explosive and by being positioned in theouter container or compartment, adequately protected from contactingwith the well cas- 111 l lther objects of my invention will appear fromthe following description of the accompanying drawings, which illustratea preferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure lis a vertical elevation of one embodiment of the invention,illustrating the torpedo positioned in a well casing.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse section of Fi 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of F' 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates a modified form of the spacing means.

Fig. 5 illpstrates another modification of the spacing means.

Fig.6 illustrates a two com artment container embodying the princip esof my invention, the. outer compartment being'sectioned to disclose theinner compartment.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates a well casing in which the wellerally indicated at 2 is positioned to descend. The torpedo isillustrated as comprising an torpedo gen fingers 10. In Fig.

elongated cylindrical container 3 pointed or cone shaped at its bottom 4and provided with a plurality of vertically disposed apertures 5. Thetorpedo is supported from the to by a bail 7. In Fig. 1 the container isil ustrated as being wound at each end with insulated wire 8 which isadapted to insulate the container from the well casing and preventeither electrical or frictional contact between said container and 'wellcasing.

Various forms of spacing means may be provided for thecontainer. In Fig.4: the spacing means are shown as comprising a number ofcircumferentially placed sprlng 5 the spacing means are shown ascomprising a plurality of circumferentially placed metal loops 11.

The container is shown as explosive charge explosives might be used. Anelectrical wir ing passes through the explosive charge, bein connectedto suitable detonating caps 9. Thedetonating caps may be any of a numberof constructions well known to the art.

In Fig. 6 of the'drawings, for further protection, the explosivecontainer is shown filled with an which is generally some'nitro-glycerine product, although other high The torpedo may beconstructed of any material strong enough to hold the explosive andwhich will be readily destroyed andbroken up upon the explosion. Tin,galvanized iron, wood fibre, brass or hard rubber are examples of suchmaterial.

My invention is not limited to the preferred construction shown butvarious modifications may be made, all of which fall within the scopeset forth in the following claims.

. I claim:

1. A well torpedo comprising an inner container provided with aplurality of vertically disposed pressure equalizing aper tures, anouter compartment enclosing sai inner container, inner container fromcontacting outer compartment.

2. .A well torpedo comprising a container and a solid explosivesubstantially filling the major part of the container, said conwith saidand means maintaining said tainer having a plurality of verticallydisposed apertures establishing communication between the exterior ofthe container and the explosive therein, thereby equalizing the innerand outer fluid pressureon the: container and permitting a circulationof fluid through the apertures and voids of the explosive. I

Signed at Los Angeles,'California, this 5th day of September, 1922.

FORD I. ALEXANDER.

